Spring-frame for bicycles.



(un Modell) nu. 644,957. Patented Mans, |900. A

. a. H. WILLIAMS.

SPRING FRAME FDR BICYCLES.

(Application filed Sept. 5, 189%)v 10mi@ M7.

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GURDON H. VILLIAMS, OF SOUTH BROOKLYN, OHIO.

SPRING-FRAME FOR elcYCLes.

i SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,957, dated March 6, 1900. Application led September 5, 1899. Serial No. 729,507. (N model.)

T0 all w/Zto'm/ t may concern.-

Be it known that I, GURDON II. IVILLIAMS, a resident of South Brooklyn, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented cer-` tain new and useful Improvements in Spring- Frames for Bicycles; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in spring-frames for bicycles, and more especially to a bicycle-frame composed of two sections arranged the one forward of the other and having both of the said sections hinged together .at the bottom and having a novel and exceedingly-meritcrious spring connection at their upper ends.

The invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims. y

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is 'a side elevation of a bicycle having a frame embodying my invention. Fig. II is a side elevation, mostly in central longitudinal section, ofthe upper portion of the framework of the machine and illustrating very clearly my improved spring connection between the two sections of the frame; Fig. III is a Vertical section on line III III, Fig. II, looking forwardly. Fig( IV is a section on line IV IV, Fig. II, looking forwardly.

driven wheel; c, the operating-shaft, and CZ and e are the two sections of the framework,

arranged the oneforward of the other and hinged together at `t-he'botiom o'f the machinel The forward frame-section d is connected in the"l Thcf rear frame-section e is connected in the usual in any approved manner, as at c.

usual manner with the forward wheel.

manner with the rear or driven wheel., The forward,frame-section extends somewhat over the forward wheel and is there provided with the ordinary bearing CZ for the steeringfork f, that forms the connection between the said frame-section and the forward wheel. The frame-section CZ comprises two tubular bars Z3 and d3, that extend and diverge upwardly from the hinge connection between the two framesectimis. The rear bar d3 of the forward frame-section carries the saddlepost g of the machine, and the forward bar d3 of the said frame-section connects at its forward end with the bearing for the steering-fork. The said bars d3 and d3 are arranged in the same vertical plane longitudinally of the machine. The bearing d is connected at its upper end with the rear upright bar @Z3 of the forward frame-section byahorizontally-arranged bar d4 and cross-shaped or four-armed connection Z. The rear framesection c is preferably a triangular frame comprising upwardly-extending and converging bars e3, that are connected at their upper ends by myimproved form of spring connection with the top of the forward framesection CZ. The part Z has a forwardly-projecting arm Z', embracing and brazed onto the rear end of the bar d". wardly-projecting arm Z3, that is screw-threaded internally and engaged by the correspondingly-threaded guide 7c. Arms Zand Z2 are arranged in line and in a horizontal plane. Part Z has an upwardly-projecting and rearwardly-inclined arm Z3, that embraces the saddle-post g. y MemberZ has a downwardlyprojecting and forwardly-inclined arm Z4, that embraces and is brazed onto the rear upright bar cl3 of the forward frame-section below the arms Z and Z3. Members Z3 and Z4 are arranged in line. The saddle-post extends downwardly into the bar d3 through the arms Z3 and Z4 of Referring to the drawings, adesignates the forward wheel of a bicycle; b, the rear or the part Z, and the means employed for securing the said post'in the desired adjustment comprises, preferably, a screw m, that extends loosely through a perforation Z5, formed in the arm Z3, into and engages a correspond-- ingly-threaded hole 0, formed in the ring shaped clamp 0, that fits easily within the sad dle-post, that is hollow and split or slotted, as

will hereinafter more Vfully appear. Upon tightening the screw 'in the clamp is caused to tightly clamp the saddle-post against one sideof the arm Z3. A.

A spiral springs is confined within the rear portion of the bar d4, between the forward side of an endwiseshiftable block or slide-forming piece r, that is arranged within the rear portion of the said bar 034 and the rear side of a stationary block or piece t, that is arranged wit-hin and fixed to the bar d4. A rod r extends centrally and easily through member t.

The rod T has its rear end screw-threaded externally, and the sliding piece T is correspondingly internally threaded and mounted upon the said end of the rod T. A link T2 extends longitudinally through the arms Z' and Z2 of the part Z. The said link at its forward end is pivoted horizontally', as at T2, to the slide T, and consequently operatively connected with the rod T. The link T2 has its rear end pivoted horizontally, as at T4, to the upper end of the rear frame-section of the framework of the machine. Member 7o is slotted, as at 7a', to accommodate the location and operation o f the link T2, and the side walls of the said slot are arranged to forln a lateral guide for the link. The sliding nut T is cut away internally of its rear end, as T5, to accommodate the reception and operation of the connected end of the link T2. The stationary piece t has a centrally-located hole t extending therethrough to accommodate the location and operation of the spring-bearing rod T/ and is secured to the supporting-bar d4 by any suitable number of screws t2, that engage correspondingly-threaded holes formed in the said piece t. The bar d4 is preferably reinforced at the location of the spring-abutment-forming piece t by a collar d5, that embraces and is brazed onto the bar d, and the screws employed in securing the said piece t to the bar d4 extend through the collar and have their heads abutting against the external surface of the collar. Another spring s' is confined within the bar d4, between the forward face of the piece t and the rear surface of a slide-forming piece w, that is arranged within and shiftable endwise of the said bar a suitable distance forwardly of the springabutment-forming piece t. The spring-bearing rod extends forwardly through the slidablepiece w and is screw-threaded at its for- -wardend, and a nut w', mounted upon the said threaded portion of the rod forward of member w, prevents the latter from shifting forwardly independently of the spring-bearing rod and is instrumental in regulating the tension of the spring s. The rear springs is about twice as heavy as the forward spring s.

The operation of my improved spring connection between the two frame-sections d and kexis as follows: Vhen the rear or driven wheel course the location of the rider-s saddle over the forward portieri of the rear or driven wheel renders the spring connection between the two frame -sections particularly desirable. Yet an obstruction encountered by the forward wheel and lifting or elevating the said wheel would result -in tilting the forward Ofv frame-section upwardly and rearwardly and thereby compress the spring s more or less against the slide-forming block T, whose presence,notwithstanding the end wiseshiftability of the same, will compress the spring and thereby relieve the rider of the shock that he would sustain in the absence of the spring connection. To avoid the jarring or vibration of the framework incidental to the recoil of the spring s after the obstruction-striking wheel has surmounted the obstruction, the auxiliary spring s' comes into play, because it is obvious that during the compression of the spring s during the upwardly and forwardly tilting of the rear frame-section, as well as during the compression of the said spring during the upwardly and rearwardly tilting of the forward section, the auxiliary sprin g is distended and thereby placed in condition to suitably counteract the reactive force occasioned bythe recoil of the spring s. The spring s is normally under the tension required to somewhat compress the spring s. The weight of the rider would also somewhat compress the spring s. The pivotal connec tion between the link T2 and the spring-beari ing rod and rear frame-section is obviously necessary to accommodate the vertical tilting or vibration of either frame-section independently of the other frame-section.

The peculiar construction and arrangement of parts illustrated is especially desirable on account of its durability, simplicity, and efficieucy, and the springs and the spring-bearing rod are out of the way and inclosed in the top bar d4 of the forward frame-section.

The saddle-post g is split, as already indicated, as at g', from its lower extremity upwardly to and near its upper end., so as to render it capable of straddling the link T2 and thereby accommodating the location and operation of the said link during any adjustment of the post.

What I claim isl. The combination with a bicycles framework comprising a forward section andarear section horizontally and transversely hinged together at the bottom: of a spring confined within the forward frame-section a stationary piece forming an abutment for one end of the said spring; a slidable piece forming an abutment for the other end of the spring; a link operatively connected with the said slidable piece and pivoted to and transversely of the rear frame-section another spring, that is lighter than the aforesaid first-mentioned spring, confined within the forward framesection `a stationary abutment for one end of the lighter spring, a slidable abutment for the other end of the lighter spring, and a rod having a member overlapping the outer end of the movable abutment of the lighter spring, and suitably connected with the movable abutment of the heavierspring, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with a bicycles framework comprising a forward section and a rear IOC IIO

IZO

section horizontally and transversely hinged together at the bottom: of a spring confined within the forward frame-section; a stationary piece forming an abutment for one end of the said spring; a slidable piece forming an abutment for the springs other end; a link operatively connected with the said slidable piece and pivoted to and transversely of the rear frame-section5 another spring, that is lighter than the aforesaid "first-mentioned spring, confined within the forward framesection; a stationary abutment for one end of the lighter spring, a slidable abutment for the other end of the lighter spring, and a rod having a member overlapping the outer end of the movable abutment of the lighter spring and suitably connected with the movable abutment of the heavier spring, and the arrangement of parts beingsuch that the lighter spring is normally under tension and somewhat places the heavier spring under tension, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a bicycles framework having a forward section and a rear section horizontally and transversely hinged together at the bottom: of a forwardly and rearwardly extending rod arranged within the forward frame-section; a slide-forming member formed upon the rear end of the said rod; a member loosely embracing the said rod a suitable distance forward of the said slideforming member and rigid with the forward frame-section; a spiral spring confined upon the said rod between the rear end of the said rod-embracing piece and the forward end of the aforesaid slide-forming, member; another 'slide-forming member held to the said rod a suitable distance forward of the aforesaid rod-embracing piece; a spring, that is lighter than the rst--m entioned spring,confined upon the rod between the said rod-embracing piece and the last-mentioned slide-forming member, and a link operatively connecting the flrstmentioned slide-forming member with the rear frame-section, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination with a bicycles frameworkhavinga forward section and a rearsection horizontally and transversely hinged together at the bottom; of a forwardly and rearwardly extending rod arranged within the forward frame-section; a slide-forming member formed upon the rear end of the said rod; a stationary member loosely embracing the said rod a suitable distance forward of the said slide-forming member and rigid with the forward frame-section; a spiral spring mounted upon the rod between the said stationary piece and the aforesaid slide-forming member; another slide-forming member held to the said .rod a suitable distance forward of the aforesaid stationary rod-embracing piece; aspiral spring,that islighter than the first-mentioned spring, confined upon the rod between the said stationary piece and the last-mentioned slide-formingmember, anda link operatively connecting the first-mentioned slide-for1ning member with the rear frame-section,substan tially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination with a bicycles frame comprising a forward section and a rear section suitably hinged together at the bottom: of a forwardly and rearwardly extending rod arranged within the upper portion of the forward frame-section,and having opposite ends screw-threaded externally, a suitably-supported slide-forming nut mounted upon the rear end of the rod; a slide-forming member mounted upon the forward portion of the rod; a nut engaging the rod forwardly of the lastmentioned slide-forming member;` two spiral springs mounted upon the said rod between the said slide-forming members and arranged the one forward of the other; a piece rigid with the forward frame-section and arranged between and holding apart adjacent ends ofl the springs; a link operatively connecting the rear slide-forming member with the rear frame-section, and the forward spring being lighter than the rear spring, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with a bicycles framework, comprising the forward section d and the rear section e transversely hinged toL gether at the bottom: of the springs s and s',- the piece t rigid with the forward frame-section; the slide-forming nut r; the rod fr'; the link r2; the slide-forming member w, and the nut w', all arranged and operating substantially as shown, for the purpose specified.

7. The combination with a bicycles framework having a forward section comprising an upper forwardly and rearwardly extending tubular bar d4, and a rear section hinged to and transversely of the forward section at the bottom of the framework: vof the springs s and s; the piece t; the slide-forming nut r; the rod r; the link r2; the slide-forming member w, and the nut w', all arranged and operating substantially as shown, for the purpose specified. I

8. The combinationwith a bicycles framework comprising a forward frame -section having an upper forwardly-extending tubular bar d4, and a tubular saddle-post standard d2; the rear frame-sectionhinged to and transversely of the forward frame-section at the bottom of the framework,and the hollow crossshaped pieceZ secured to the said bar and standard and having a rearwardly-projecting arm Z2: of `a spiral spring arranged within the aforesaid bar; aslide-forming member?" forming an abutment for the rear end of the spring; another member t forming an abutment for the forward end of the spring and rigid with the bar; a link r2 operatively con necting the slide-forming member with the rear frame-section and extending through the aforesaid rearwardly-projecting arm, and a lateral guide for the said link within the said arm.

9. The combination. with a bicycles framework comprising a forward frame section IOO IIO

- bertforming an abutment for the springs forward end and rigid with the bar 5 a link r2 operatively connecting the slide forming member with the rear frame-section; of the saddle-post extending through the aforesaid tubular arms and split longitudinally from its lower end upwardly as required to render the post Capable of straddling the aforesaid link, and means for Clamping the saddle-post to the upper tubular arm and comprising the internal clamping-ring o and the sorew m.

Signed by me at Cleveland, Ohio, this 8th day of August, 1899.

GURDON Il. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

C. 1I. DORER, A. H. PARRATT. 

